Iranian Cargo Ship Forced Through Blockade; U.S. Forces Open Fire and Take Control

On Sunday, April 19, U.S. President Trump stated that American forces opened fire on an Iranian cargo vessel attempting to forcibly break through the U.S. maritime blockade of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman, and have since taken control of it. In a post on his social platform Truth Social, Trump said the Iranian-flagged ship, named "Touska," "attempted to breach our naval blockade but ultimately failed."

According to AFP, Trump posted on Truth Social: "Today, a vessel named 'Touska,' flying the Iranian flag, nearly 900 feet long and weighing almost as much as an aircraft carrier, attempted to force its way through our maritime blockade — with disastrous results. The U.S. Navy's guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance intercepted the 'Touska' in the Gulf of Oman, issued clear warnings demanding it stop. The Iranian crew refused to comply, so our warship directly fired at its engine room, rendering it immediately immobile. Now, U.S. Marine Corps forces have taken control of the vessel."

Trump later added: "[The Touska] had previously been sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury due to its record of illegal activities. We have fully taken control of the ship and are currently inspecting what it is carrying."

The "Touska" is a container ship. Maritime tracking website MarineTraffic shows the vessel flies the Iranian flag. According to the latest available data cited in the AFP report, approximately six hours before Trump’s announcement, the ship was located near Iran’s southernmost coast, close to Chabahar. MarineTraffic’s public page also identifies the "Touska" as an Iranian container vessel.

According to earlier data released by U.S. military sources on April 19, since the U.S. imposed a blockade on Iranian ports on April 13, a total of 23 vessels have turned back upon complying with U.S. demands. Meanwhile, Iran lifted its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz last Friday, but announced on Saturday it would re-impose "strict control" on this vital waterway after the U.S. decision to maintain its port blockade. The Strait of Hormuz typically handles about one-fifth of global oil and gas trade transportation.

Earlier on the morning of April 19, Trump also accused Iran of violating a ceasefire agreement set to expire in three days, claiming Iran launched attacks in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, targeting vessels including one French and one British ship. On the same day, French shipping group CMA CGM confirmed to AFP that one of its vessels was "fired upon" in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, but all crew members remained safe.

This incident marks a further escalation in the confrontation between the U.S. and Iran over maritime blockades and regional ceasefire arrangements, and has once again worsened already highly tense conditions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Source: rfi

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862939987557388/

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